Param Vir Chakra (PVC)Awardee: Sub Joginder Singh, PVC

Subedar Joginder Singh was the commander of
a platoon of a Sikh Regiment holding a defensive position at a ridge nead
Tongpen La in NEFA. At 0530 hours on 23 October 1962, the Chinese opened a very
heavy attack on the Bum La axis with the intention of breaking through to
Towang. The leading battalion of the enemy attacked the ridge in three waves,
each about 200 strong. Subedar Joginder Singh and his men mowed down the first
wave, and the enemy was temporarily halted by the heavy losses it suffered.
Within a few minutes, a second wave came over and was dealt with similarly. But
the platoon had by then lost half its men. Subedar Joginder Singh was wounded
in the thigh but refused to be evacuated. Under his inspiring leadership, the
platoon stubbornly held its ground an would not withdraw.

Meanwhile, the position was attacked for the
third time. Subedar Joginder Singh himself manned a light machine gun and shot
down a number of the enemy. The Chinese, however, continued to advance despite
heavy losses. When the situation became untenable, Subedar Joginder Singh and
the few men emerged from their position with fixed bayonets and charged the
advancing Chinese, bayoneting a number of them before he and his comrades were
overpowered.

Throughout this action, Subedar Joginder
Singh displayed devotion to duty, inspiring leadership and bravery of the
highest order, and finally made the supreme sacrifice.